German fugitive nabbed in Thailand

Bangkok: A German jewel thief, who managed to flee his Australian guards while transiting through Bangkok, has been arrested in the Thai capital after two weeks on the run, police say.

Carlo Konstantin Kohl, 25, was being extradited to Germany via Thailand when bad weather forced an extended stopover at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport and his two Australian guards decided to take him to a transit lounge.

During the overnight layover, Kohl - convicted in Australia of stealing opals and drug trafficking, and wanted for skipping parole in his native Germany -- managed to give his escorts the slip and escape the airport.

He was arrested near the German embassy in Bangkok, according to an immigration police official who did not want to be named.

Kohl told police he had stayed in a guesthouse in a backpacker district in the city following his escape.

A Thai court on Thursday handed Kohl a two-year suspended jail term for illegal entry and a 6000 baht ($US200) fine.

He is expected to be handed over to German authorities next week, the immigration police official said.

Australian immigration chiefs have denied Thai media reports that the two guards, from a private firm that runs Australia's immigration security, were asleep when Kohl got away.